Why Do I See Light During a Reiki Session?


October 19, 2015

At the conclusion of a session, clients have often told me that they could see a bright white light during treatment, even though their eyes had been closed the whole time. They frequently describe the experience as feeling like someone has turned on a bright overhead light or sunlight streaming in through a nearby window.

One client was so convinced that the sun had been the reason for the bright light that I actually led her over to the window to see the dark, cloudy sky. The sun had been nowhere in sight.

On another occasion, I ran into a client while shopping at the grocery store. She stopped me to once again thank me for the session and then proceeded to ask me if I had shone a bright light on her during the treatment. I of course explained that I had not, and she began to marvel at how she’d been certain I had since there was no way any outside sunlight could have contributed. (We had been in a windowless room during the session.)

The question still remained. Why did clients experience this phenomenon? The answer is simple.
Reiki energy.

To the practitioner who can readily feel the energy coursing through his or her body and being emitted through the hands, there is no doubt that Reiki is not only doing its work on the client, but also filling the room. When the client experiences this visual phenomenon, he or she is becoming aware of the presence of Reiki.

The healing work of Reiki begins the minute the practitioner sets the intention for the session and intends to be a conduit through which the energy can flow. Reiki, and its divine consciousness knows exactly what areas are most in need and gets to work harmonizing the physical and energy bodies of the client. When the client experiences this visual phenomenon of perceiving bright light, he or she is witnessing Reiki energy surrounding them. When this happens, Reiki, which can sometimes seem like an intangible entity, can actually be seen.

Often, when the bright light is perceived, it brings with it feelings of great hope, love, optimism, happiness and clarity. It is quite literally the presence of the Divine.

I can recall having this experience during one of my first Reiki sessions. I had been experiencing some physical pain and was also trying to release negative emotions. I was relaxed and at peace throughout the session of course, but can vividly remember one point in which it seemed that bright white light had begun streaming through the window across the room. It was purer and brighter than any light I’d ever experienced before, even on the sunniest day at the beach. Yet the light did not feel hot or oppressive. It was cool and pure and it filled me with feelings of hope and release, so much so that it nearly brought me to tears. In that moment, I knew on both a physical and soul level that I was in the presence of something far greater than myself. I was protected. I was loved. And I was being healed.

While it doesn’t happen during every session, when this phenomenon occurs, it is profound.


Animals Love Reiki


August 25, 2015

The first time I realized how receptive animals are to the healing aspect of Reiki was completely by accident. In fact, it happened while I was training my first Reiki student at her home. Mary had a small brood of French bulldogs who were friendly and curious. They sniffed and snorted their way around the house, often stopping for a few scratches behind the ear or a belly rub.

I had decided that in order to properly demonstrate the proper hand positions for a full Reiki treatment, we needed a stand-in client. I asked Mary’s ten-year-old-daughter, Fiona, if she would be willing to accept a complimentary healing session, so her mom could observe the process, and she gladly agreed. While I briefed her on what she could expect during the session, the dogs busily roamed the room, perhaps checking to see if we’d left behind any crumbs or treats for them to nibble on.

I asked Fiona to lie down and began the treatment. Within a couple of minutes, she was completely relaxed, with her breaths coming in deep, rhythmic waves; the telltale sign a client has opened themselves to the energy and the healing has begun. It was at that point I realized how quiet and still the room had become. I glanced down and noticed that all four dogs had positioned themselves at the foot of the treatment table and had fallen into a calm and restful state. There was no more wandering around. No sniffing and snorting for treats. Just deep, rhythmic breaths that mirrored Fiona’s. The dogs remained in this position for the duration of the treatment, soaking up the energy which had begun to fill the room. They had been drawn to it, knowing instinctively that it was good for them and that they too, could enjoy the wonderful benefits of Reiki.

French Bulldogs courtesy wallpaperest.com


Reiki and Childbirth


August 25, 2015

Childbirth is one of the many instances in which Reiki can be of great benefit. Reiki can be used in many situations: To protect and harmonize the energy of an area, to alleviate anxiety, and to facilitate communication between individuals, just to name a few. However, Reiki is a remarkable modality to use during stressful situations or those which involve pain. So why not utilize it to alleviate the pain, discomfort, and stress related to labor and childbirth?

During each of my four deliveries, I received distant Reiki from one or more of my “Reiki friends” as I like to call them. When labor began, I simply placed a call or sent a text message asking that these practitioners send me Reiki. I then sat in the most comfortable position I could muster and waited for the energy to do its thing. Within minutes of Reiki being sent, I could feel a gentle sense of calm washing over me. It was as if a silky veil of love and light had been draped around my tense body. I became more grounded, centered. While Reiki did not completely eliminate the pain, it gave me a sense of peace and focus as I rode each wave. It allowed me to be completely present in the experience rather than distracted by contractions.

The amazing thing about Reiki is that it has a tendency to fill an entire space, particularly if the practitioner asks that Reiki be sent to the entire situation, not just the person. When distant Reiki was sent during my deliveries, it allowed the entire room to become infused with Reiki energy so that everyone—doctors, nurses, my husband, myself, and even the baby— could benefit from its positive, calming effect. Knowing we were all enveloped in pure loving, healing light, I never had any worry or doubt that my deliveries would be anything but pure joy.

Are you or someone you know about to experience the thrill of childbirth? You can request distant Reiki be sent to that person through the Sessions page.

Photo courtesy www.slocounty.ca.gov


Pets Understand the Value of Reiki


June 30, 2015

Our pets often become members of the family, and my parent’s dog was no different.  He was what you might consider a “senior citizen” who battled a host of maladies. Before he made his transition, he experienced a decline in mobility. Stiff, painful joints made walking, climbing stairs, finding a comfortable position to sleep in, and even trying to relieve himself, difficult and painful tasks. During one visit, I decided to offer some healing to alleviate his symptoms. I quietly told him I’d like to offer Reiki. Then I placed my hands on his left hip and activated Reiki energy. He was curious at first, sniffing my hands and looking intently into my eyes, but within a couple of minutes, he became deeply relaxed and let out several “Reiki sighs.” As I continued to let the energy flow to him, a very curious thing happened. He began to move his body in different positions so that he could press specific parts of himself against my hands. He was showing me what areas were hurting and in need of healing!

We continued in this fashion until he lay his head down and dozed off for about twenty minutes. When I ended the session, he again looked intently into my eyes. I could feel him saying “thank you.”

The next morning, as I was getting ready, I looked out the window and saw him in the backyard. During the weeks preceding Midas’ Reiki treatment, he had been unable to lift his leg to relieve himself due to his pain and discomfort. He instead, resorted to squatting to do his business. However on the morning following his treatment, I watched as he nimbly pranced across the yard. He then lifted his leg and proudly watered my parent’s plants.

Reiki is a valuable modality for all animals, not just dogs. They intuitively understand and accept  it in ways that sometimes escape humans.  Our beloved pets deserve to experience healing, too.


Crystals Amplify Reiki


June 29, 2015

Crystals have long been used in metaphysics for their natural healing abilities. Clear quartz is one such crystal which can be used in conjunction with Reiki. According to The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals by Judy Hall, “Quartz is the most powerful energy amplifier on the planet because of its unique helical spiral crystalline form. Found worldwide, it absorbs, stores, releases and regulates energy and is excellent for unblocking it.”

Crystal grids are often used by practitioners to send Reiki to situations or people via distant Reiki. By placing the intentions on pieces of paper and placing them within the grid, the practitioner is able to send healing energy to multiple situations at once. And since quartz has the ability to retain Reiki energy for long periods of time, Reiki can continue to flow to these situations continuously, across time and space, as long as the practitioner keeps the crystals charged. This is one of my favorite aspects of Reiki.

During an ART/ Reiki Master class recently, one student had a brilliant idea. She asked if we could “link” our grids together to further amplify the healing abilities of each grid. After brainstorming on how to best do this we decided that each student would write the names of the other students in class and the intention to link their grids to one another, on a piece of paper. Each student would then place their paper into their individual grid.  Once charged, each students’ grid would then also charge and send Reiki all the others, thereby increasing the amount of Reiki each situation or individual recipient would receive.

No matter how long I’ve practiced it, Reiki (and its many uses and benefits) continues to amaze me. There are endless ways in which it can be used to spread loving light to those around us.

Note: Specifics on setting up and charging a crystal grid are taught during ART training.